21 minute read

Music

Scarce musical quote from Berlioz’s opera comique Béatrice et Bénédict, inspired by William Shakespeare

478. Hector Berlioz Autograph Musical Quotation Signed. AMQS on an off-white 9.5 x 6.5 sheet, signed and in-

scribed in ink, “A Madame Damcke, (Duo de Beatrice et Benedict), H. Berlioz, Paris, 30 Juin 1862.” Berlioz neatly pens nine bars of music from his opera comique Béatrice et Bénédict, adding the lyrics below: “Nuit pai-sible et se-rei-ne, La lune douce rei-ne qui plane en souri-ant.” Matted to an overall size of 12.5 x 10; reverse bears a musical quotation in another hand. In fine condition. Berlioz wrote the French libretto for Béatrice et Bénédict himself, based generally on a subplot from Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. It was first performed at the opening of the Theater Baden-Baden on August 9, 1862, some three months after he penned the quote offered here. Starting Bid $300

Remarkable musical manuscript by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, featuring four complete canons

481. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Handwritten Musical

Manuscript. Handwritten musical manuscript by celebrated Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 11.25 x 8.25, [Bologna, July/ August 1770, or Salzburg, from a later period]. The significant manuscript contains four complete canon compositions (each with theme and interpretation), as well as the theme of one other canon, all of them with autograph texts.

The manuscript features: a three-part canon titled “Canon ad duodecimam: clama ne cesses” on the first page, with counterpart, set to “Confitebor tibi Domine,” 8 bars. Below, titled “Canon ad diapente, Diapason et Diapason diapente”, a 4-part canon, set to “Cano peana magnum Deu[m] appollinem,” 5 bars. A 9-part canon on pages 2 and 3, set to “A musi[s] heliconiadibus incipiamus canere,” 17 bars, with the voices following one bar at a time. A 3-part canon on page 4, set to the words “in cipe menalios mecum,” 15 bars. Below, the theme of another canon, titled “Canon. Ter voce ciemus” with the addition “Voce ter insonuit,” set to “Tebana bella cantus Troiana cantat alter,” as well as their reversal “Troiana cantat alter Tebana bella cantus.” The Köchel catalogue (6th ed., 1964) lists the first canon at nr. 73r (3) in a differing version, the second canon isn’t mentioned, the third and fourth appear at nr. 73x (13 and 14), the fifth canon is part of nr. 73r (4). Regarding nr. 73x, the Köchel catalogue reports that “when Leopold and Wolfgang were in Bologna in summer 1770, Padre Martini presented them with the first two volumes of his three-volume history of music [“Storia della musica”], of volume two probably merely with the plates…Wolfang was presumably more attracted to the artistic canonic structures than to the scholarly text. Dissolving them was likely part of his education with Padre Martini. Whether all of the manuscripts originate from that time remains unclear” [transl.]. It’s possible that Mozart reengaged himself in the canons at a later point in his life as well. The first canon appears to be modelled on Martini’s canon I/67, canons two and three resembling canon II/1. The themes of the fifth canon exactly correspond to the vignette from the “Storia della Musica” II/41.

From the collection of Aloys Fuchs in Vienna, who combined the 14 canonic studies, mentioned in the Köchel catalogue at nr. 73x, to an anthology (the manuscript of the first 12 studies was sold in 1958 by J. A. Stargardt). Later sold again by J. A. Stargardt in 1970 (with reproductions of pages 2 and 3 in their original size on folding plates). In fine condition, with traces of stitching on the left edge and a small repaired tear to the margin of the last page. Starting Bid $25000

479. Claude Debussy Signature. Important French composer

(1862-1918) whose colorful, evocative works, particularly those for keyboard and for orchestra, exemplified the ‘impressionist’ style, and whose innovative use of harmonic and instrumental resources was a seminal influence on the emerging language of twentieth-century music. Uncommon pencil signature, “Claude Debussy, 1 Fev. 08,” on an offwhite 4 x 2 slip. Handsomely double-matted and framed with a portrait to an overall size of 13.5 x 16.5. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

480. Edvard Grieg Signed Photograph. Important Norwegian

composer and pianist (1843-1907) whose works, often with a strong nationalistic flavor, include such repertory staples as the ‘Piano Concerto in A minor,’ the incidental music to Peer Gynt, and the ‘Holberg Suite.’ Uncommon vintage matte-finish 3.5 x 5.5 postcard photo of the composer, nicely signed in ink, “Edvard Greig.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

Extraordinary handwritten six-page songbook by Niccolo Paganini, dedicated to his only pupil

482. Niccolo Paganini Autograph Musical

Manuscript. Significant autograph musical manuscript by Niccolo Paganini, seven pages on four sheets, 11.5 x 8.75, titled and signed on the cover sheet by Paganini with a dedication to his only pupil, Camillo Sivori: “No. 6. Cantabili, con minuetti a Valtzer, par Violin, con accompagnamento di Chitarra, Viola, e Violoncello—dedicati al bravo ragazzino Sigr. Camillo Sivori, de Nicola Paganini.” On each of the following pages, Paganini pens six short works for violin, with accompanying parts for guitar, viola, or cello. Below his dedication on the cover sheet is an annotation by violinist Romeo Franzoni, dated 1929, presenting the manuscript to a fellow music professor after having it in his possession for twenty years. In very good to fine condition, with overall soiling and light foxing. Any of Paganini’s handwritten works are tremendously desirable; this is a complete, lengthy manuscript dedicated to his only known student, making it a remarkable treasure. Starting Bid $1000

Scarce signature of the renowned Franz Schubert, presented by a prominent French artist

(shown larger than actual size)

483. Franz Schubert Signature. Prodigious Austrian

composer (1797–1828) whose vast oeuvre comprised over 600 secular vocal works (mainly lieder), seven complete symphonies, sacred music, operas, incidental music, and a large body of piano and chamber music. Known only to a relatively small circle of admirers in Vienna during his lifetime, Schubert’s international renown grew immensely in the decades after his death at the age of 31. Incredibly rare and highly sought-after ink signature, “Franz Schubert,” dated 1821, on an off-white 5.25 x 3 slip featuring a bouquet of flowers and a four-line poem. Mounted and framed to an overall size of 10.75 x 8.75, with a presentation inscription on a page affixed to the frame’s backing by French artist Ferdinand Bac. Bac writes, in full (translated): “Autograph of F. Schubert. To Mr. and Mrs. de Saint-Martin I offer this modest relic as a witness to my admiration and my gratitude, Ferdinand Bac, 26th June 1937.” The illegitimate nephew of the Emperor Napoleon, Bac was a prolific cartoonist known for his caricatures and a prominent admirer of Schubert’s music. In fine condition. Starting Bid $1000

Verdi pens a passage from his grand opera ‘The Sicilian Vespers’

484. Giuseppe Verdi Autograph Musical Quotation Signed. AMQS on an off-white 5.5 x 2.75 slip, dated and signed at the conclusion in ink, “Paris, 12 Mai 1855, G. Verdi.” Verdi pens nine bars of music in a three-stave system from his grand opera ‘Les vêpres siciliennes [The Sicilian Vespers].’ In fine condition. Verdi’s opera would premiere at the Paris Opera one month later on June 13, 1855. The work followed immediately after Verdi’s three great mid-career masterpieces, Rigoletto, Il trovatore, and La traviata of 1850–1853. Starting Bid $500

485. Leonard Bernstein Signed Photograph with Musical

Quotation from West Side Story. Glossy 3.5 x 5.5 photo of Leonard Bernstein in profile, signed below in blue felt tip, “Every good wish—Leonard Bernstein,” who adds two bars of music from the West Side Story song ‘Maria.’ In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

“You’d better dance, little lady! Dance, little man! Dance wherever you can!”

486. Ira Gershwin Signed Pho-

tograph. Vintage glossy 10 x 8 photo of Gershinw hard at work on a musical score, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “For Sy Kessler, From ‘Shall We Dance,’ ‘Life is short; we’re growing older, / Don’t you be an alsoran. / You’d better dance, little lady! Dance, little man! / Dance wherever you can!’ Ira Gershwin.” In fine condition, with scattered light creasing. A warm and fantastic inscription from the celebrated American songwriter. Starting Bid $200

Jazz legends featuring Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, and the Adderleys

487. Jazz Legends Autograph Books (90+

Signatures). Three vintage 5 x 3 autograph albums containing over 90 signatures of jazz legends, mostly single-sided, all identified and dated by the original collector, ranging from 1960 to 1964. Gerry Mulligan, Johnny Hodges, Duke Ellington, Cootie Williams, Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, Connie Kay, Milt Jackson, Percy Heath, Lalo Schifrin, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Maynard Ferguson, Louis Bellson, Count Basie, Roy Brooks, Horace Silver, Blue Mitchell, Don Byas, Benny Carter, Stan Getz, Cándido, Herb Ellis, Harry Carney, Louis Hayes, Julian ‘Cannonball’ Adderley, Nat Adderley, Ron Carter, and Sam Jones. In overall fine condition. Starting Bid $200

Spectacular signed oversized portrait of the ‘Show Boat’ composer

488. Jerome Kern Signed Photograph.

Vintage matte-finish 10.5 x 13.75 portrait of Kern playing his piano, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To Charles Miller for his unfailing patience, kindness, and help to and from his friend Jerome Kern, January 1939,” with a small medal sketched to the left of the inscription. In fine condition, with irregular light silvering to the edges. Kern is very scarce in signed photos and this example is certainly the finest we have encountered. Starting Bid $200

489. Patsy Cline Signed Photograph. Uncommon vintage

glossy 8 x 10 close-up photo of Cline in Western attire, signed in fountain pen, “Sincerely your friend, Patsy Cline.” In very good to fine condition, with scattered creasing, a chip to the right border, and a smudge to her first name traced over in an unknown hand. Starting Bid $200

Show-stopping Beatles signature display

491. Beatles Signature Display. Glorious Beatles display of early 1960s ballpoint autographs, “John Lennon,” “George Harrison, xx” and “Paul McCartney, xxx,” and “Beatles, Ringo Starr,” who adds his own version of Lennon’s signature below, on three multi-colored album pages ranging in size from 3.25 x 2.5 to 3.5 x 3.5. The signed pages are impressively double-matted alongside an attractive array of Beatles recordings, trading cards (with facsimile autographs), and a large photo of the band with Ed Sullivan, all of which are framed together to an overall size of 45.5 x 44. In overall very good to fine condition, with a central vertical fold, and corner tape stains, to the Ringo signature. The records are included (housed in their original sleeves), as is the original autograph book from which the signatures were removed. A terrifically large signature display that captures the enormity of Beatlemania. Starting Bid $1000

Rare ‘Lost Weekend’ letter from Lennon during production of Walls and Bridges—”elton came and sang (and played great piano/organ)...its ruff, but cooks! hes some musician old elton j”

492. Beatles: John Lennon Typed Letter Signed

with Self Portrait Sketch. TLS signed “John,” with added self-portrait sketch, one page, 8.5 x 11, August 1, 1974. Letter sent to Native American guitarist Jesse Ed Davis, who played on his fifth studio album Walls and Bridges, in part (spelling and grammar retained): “elton came and sang (and played great piano/organ) on ‘whatever gets you through the night.’ i used the original take by the way, we never played it as well again. its ruff, but cooks! hes some musician old elton j!...i remains, all over the place, love from me and de nurse, yer old paleface, kaptain kundalini, better known as d. r winston o’boogie, or the very rev fred gherkin, or not…say hi to billy from us and julian.” Lennon adds the date to the upper right corner in his own hand. In fine condition. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks and by the original Apple mailing envelope that Lennon has addressed in his own hand. Letters from Lennon remain uncommon and highly sought, with this example all the more interesting given its various associations to the production of his fifth studio album Walls and Bridges. Starting Bid $1000

490. Beatles Signatures.

Circa 1960s vintage autograph book, 4.75 x 4, signed inside by the Beatles on the same page in ballpoint by John Lennon, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney. The book also contains the signatures of Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, the Karl Dever Trio, Joe Brown, Mike Pender, and the Tornadoes. Collector’s notation dates the signatures to the Gaumont Cinema in Worcester, England, on September 4, 1963, part of a four-night mini-tour promoted by John Smith during which the Beatles were paid £250 per night. In fine condition. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks. Starting Bid $1000

493. Beatles: Paul McCartney Signed Oversized Photograph.

Color semi-glossy 10.25 x 15.5 page from the tour book for McCartney’s 1989 - 1990 World Tour, signed prominently in black felt tip, “All the best! Paul McCartney.” Double-matted to an overall size of 13.5 x 18.75. In very good to fine condition, with scattered light creasing. Starting Bid $200

494. Beatles: Paul McCartney Signed

Album. Vinyl pressing of the 1988 Paul McCartney album CHOBA B CCCP, signed on the front cover in blue felt tip. In fine condition, with light scuffing, and a couple of small stains. The record is included. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks and by a letter of provenance from the original recipient: “I…met Sir Paul McCartney in 2005 and he very kindly signed various items for me two of which were, my two albums ‘Unplugged’ & ‘CHOBA B CCCP’ commonly known as ‘The Russian album’ I can confirm that this statement is true and these signatures are authentic.” Starting Bid $200

495. Beatles: Paul McCartney Signed

Lithograph. Extremely rare 2018 ‘Cavern Live’ promotional lithograph, 11.5 x 11.5, signed in silver ink, “All the best, Paul McCartney,” who signed just 100 of these lithographs to be given away as competition prizes after his historic concert at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, which took place on July 26, 2018. Archivally triple-matted and framed to an overall size of 19.25 x 19.25. In fine condition, with two small creases in the bottom blank area. Starting Bid $200

496. David Bowie and the King Bees Signatures.

Super early circa 1964 red ballpoint signatures of David Bowie using his given name, “Best Wishes, Davie Jones,” and of his King Bees bandmates, “George Underwood,” “Best wishes, Roger Bluck,” “Best wishes, F. Howard,” and “Best wishes, Bobby Allen, xx.,” on the reverse of an off-white 8.5 x 4 segment of a concert flyer. In very good condition, with trimmed edges, creasing, and tape stains, none of which adversely affect Bowie’s early signature. Encapsulated in a PSA/DNA authentication holder. The 17-year-old David Bowie released his debut single, ‘Liza Jane,’ with the King Bees in 1964, leaving the group just a month later to join the Manish Boys. Starting Bid $200

Bob Dylan signs for a Hearts of Fire crew member

497. Bob Dylan Signed Photograph and ‘Hearts of Fire’ Ephemera. Unique archive of material from the produc-

tion of the 1987 musical drama Hearts of Fire, which starred Bob Dylan as a reclusive rock star. The highlight is a satin-finish 10 x 8 photo of Dylan posing on set with the cast and crew, signed and inscribed in black felt tip, “To Simon, best wishes, Bob Dylan, 11/3/86.” Reverse bears a David Appleby credit stamp. In fine condition, with minor mounting remnants to reverse of the signed photo. Additional items include: two identical satin-finish 7 x 10 photos of co-star Fiona Flanagan playing a mandolin, signed and inscribed in black felt tip, “To Simon, Bob wouldn’t sign mine… Thank you so much, I hope we work together again and again, xx, Fiona, Hearts ‘86” and “To Alan, It’s always the magic hour with you babe, xx, Fiona, 11/86”; two identical satinfinish 7 x 10 photos of Rupert Everett, signed and inscribed in silver ink, “Alan, with love and many thanks for making me look much nicer than I am, Love, Rupert” and “To Lynda and Simon, love & thanks, Rupert”; three possibly unreleased photos taken on set; and a ceramic Chelsea Pottery plate gifted to crew members by director Richard Marquand, reading: “Hearts of Fire, Thank You, 1986.” One of the photos signed by Everett has a small crease near his face. Starting Bid $500

Dylan’s landmark heartbreak album, nicely signed in silver

498. Bob Dylan Signed Album. Blood on the Tracks album signed on the front cover in silver ink by Bob Dylan. In fine to very fine condition. The record is included. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from REAL and a letter of provenance from Dylan’s manager, Jeff Rosen. Many critics consider Blood on the Tracks to be Dylan’s finest work. With songs like ‘Tangled Up In Blue’ and ‘Shelter from the Storm,’ it is a gut-wrenching account of the dissolution of his marriage. Dylan has denied that the songs on the album are autobiographical, but it’s impossible not to hear his pain on tracks like ‘You’re a Big Girl Now’ and ‘If You See Her, Say Hello.’ The common thread throughout is the pain that comes when love dies. Blood on the Tracks endures as one of Dylan’s most honest and heartfelt recordings. Starting Bid $500

499. Fleetwood Mac Signed 1970 Program. Original

program from The Aquae Sulis Incidentals concert held at the Bath City Football Club on May 23, 1970, 7 x 9.5, 12 pages, signed inside on their centerfold band page in blue ballpoint by Fleetwood Mac—Mick Fleetwood, Peter Green, Danny Kirwan, and John McVie—as well as by Christine Perfect and Dave Bidwell of Chicken Shack. Perfect would go on to marry McVie and join Fleetwood Mac as a band member. This was Green’s last UK appearance with the group. In fine condition, with light handling wear, and the page no longer attached by top staple. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks. Starting Bid $200

Obscured by Clouds signed in full by Pink Floyd

500. Pink Floyd Signed Album.

Obscured by Clouds album by Pink Floyd, signed on the front cover in blue felt tip by David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Richard Wright, and Roger Waters. In very fine condition. The record is not included. Accompanied by full letters of authenticity from REAL and JSA. A desirable and uncommon signed Pink Floyd album. Starting Bid $500

501. Queen Signatures. Ballpoint signatures from Queen—“To Pam, Best wishes, Freddie Mercury,” “Roger Taylor, Queen ‘86, x,” “John Deacon,” and “Brian May”—on an off-white 8.25 x 11.75 sheet. In very good to fine condition, with overall light creasing. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks, and by a letter of provenance from the original recipient, a security guard at Victoria Dock in London in 1986. Queen may have been rehearsing in the area for their 1986 ‘Magic’ Tour. Starting Bid $300

Complete set early of Stones sigs

502. Rolling Stones Signatures. Vintage ballpoint signatures of Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, and Bill Wyman on a beige 6.75 x 4.5 album page; Jones and Richards add inscriptions to “Linda,” and Richards also signs Bill Wyman’s name—perhaps before the bassist had signed. In fine condition, with a minor tape stain to the lower left corner. Starting Bid $200

A signature and hair strand from head and hand of the Rolling Stones guitarist

503. Rolling Stones: Keith Richards Signature and Hair

Strand. Vintage ballpoint signature, “Love, Keith Richard,” on an off-white 4 x 4.25 album page with a taped-down strand of Richards’s hair. Collector’s notation dates the autograph and the hair strand to outside the Rolling Stones fan club offices in July 1965. In very good to fine condition, with light soiling and toning, and old tape holding the single hair in place. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks. Starting Bid $200

504. Stevie Ray Vaughan Signed Photograph.

Glossy 8 x 10 Epic Records publicity photo of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, signed in black felt tip by the legendary guitarist, “Stevie Ray Vaughan.” In very fine condition. Accompanied by some email correspondence indicating that the photo was signed for a DJ during a 1984 radio interview at WNYU in New York. Starting Bid $200

505. The Who: Keith Moon Signed Album.

Two Sides of the Moon album by Keith Moon, who has signed prominently inside the open window in black ballpoint. In very good to fine condition, with creasing and staining to the album sleeve, not affecting the area signed by Moon at all. The record is included. A scarce signed copy of Moon’s only solo album. Starting Bid $200

Autograph and hair strand from The Who’s drummer

506. The Who: Keith Moon Signature and Hair

Strand. Vintage ballpoint signature of The Who’s Keith Moon on an orange 4.5 x 4 album page with an affixed magazine clipping and a taped-down strand of Moon’s hair. Collector’s notation dates the autograph and the hair strand to the Stratford Town Hall on May 16, 1965. In fine condition, with old tape holding the single hair in place. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks. Starting Bid $200

Jackson writes to the “MTV Gang,” thanking all that “were involved with ‘THRILLER’”

507. Michael Jackson Typed Letter Signed.

TLS signed “Love, Michael Jackson,” one page, 8.5 x 11, May 25, 1983. Brief letter to the “MTV Gang,” in full: “On behalf of all that were involved with ‘THRILLER,’ we love you and many thanks.” In very good to fine condition, with light overall creasing, and staple holes to the upper left corner.

Released in 1982, Thriller is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential pop albums of all time. When the iconic title song’s nearly 14-minutelong music video aired on MTV on December 2, 1983, the video not only boosted the album’s music sales by an additional million copies a week, it greatly elevated viewership on MTV, which recorded audience figures 10 times the norm after each broadcast. Starting Bid $300

508

509. Amy Winehouse Signed CD Booklet.

CD Booklet for the Amy Winehouse single ‘In My Bed / You Sent Me Flying,’ signed on the front in blue felt tip, “Amy, x.” In fine condition. The CD is not included. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from REAL. Starting Bid $200

508. Amy Winehouse Signed Promo Card. Sought-after color 5.75 x 4 promo card for Amy Winehouse’s nine-date tour of the United Kingdom in November 2006, signed in black felt tip, “Amy, x.” The reverse features an advertisement for her multi-Grammy-winning album Back to Black. In fine condition, with some slight ink adhesion trouble. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from REAL. Starting Bid $200